Background: In contrast to existing best practices for identifying stakeholders, less is known about effective strategies for engaging diverse stakeholder groups in developing health promotion programs. This presentation describes a collaboration between the University of Arizona and the Tucson Indian Center (TIC) to develop a program to prevent alcohol-exposed pregnancies (AEPs) among urban American Indians (AI). By applying community-based participatory research principles, program planning focused heavily on culturally-appropriate stakeholder engagement activities. Methods: The University team involved TIC administrators, staff, board members, clients, and community members in developing the AEP prevention program. Engagement strategies were tailored for different groups and included regular meetings with administrators, consultation with staff, presentations at board meetings, presentations and focus group interviews with TIC clients, and participation at large community events. Results: The engagement strategies resulted in community buy in for the project. The University team were invited to participate in client group meetings and community events. With support from all stakeholder groups, the University team successfully completed a comprehensive needs assessment to inform program development. Conclusion: Stakeholder engagement was critical to the success of the first year of the project, and will be equally important for the second year. The second year of the project will include report back of findings and community forums to assist with the prioritization of target groups and program components. Ongoing engagement activities will increase the likelihood that the AEP prevention program is feasible, acceptable and sustainable by the TIC and the community.